Top 10 Burdock Root Tea Benefits

Not all herbs, berries, roots and leaves that are used in alternative medicine are as widely utilized as burdock, which makes its case for use in tea by serving as an edible food staple in many eastern countries, such as Japan, for many, many years. In these parts of the world burdock is commonly referred to as “gobo”. The roots are the most often used part of the plant, but during some parts of the growing season, the leaves are sometimes used as well. The root takes well to soaking and steeping and has a flavor that is mild and sweet, furthering the practicality of its use in brewed beverages. But, aside from taste, there are many burdock root tea benefits for health that may be responsible for the plant’s endured popularity, ten of the best of which can be found in this article.

Taking advantage of the root’s healthful properties starts with creating the beverage to begin with, and thankfully burdock is very easy to work with and use, (even the fresh root which is preferable for tea making). The long and slender root can be cleaned in running water with a brush or other abrasive surface. An ideal burdock root tea recipe includes unpeeled root that has been cleaned, but the exterior left intact. Although it can be tempting to peel away the outside instead of cleaning it, the unpeeled root is preferable in herbal tea recipes for flavor. The root can then be cut or peeled into thin and long strips which then need dried. Either the strips can be left outside to dry in the sun, heated in a microwave for six or seven minutes or warmed in a frying pan for ten minutes on low heat. Regardless of preparation, the a pinch of the now dried root can be tossed into a pot of boiling water or tea pot for two or three minutes and the resulting mixture strained to take advantage of burdock root tea benefits. The balance of the prepared root can be stored in a container with a lid in a cool and dark place. If the taste alone does not prompt consumption, perhaps the long list of benefits attributed to the plant will!

1. Sore Throats: Chemical compounds found in burdock root that may target inflammation are likely responsible for the beverage’s association with soothing a sore throat. No doubt the sensation of enjoying a warm beverage furthers this belief, as does the notion that burdock also boasts antibacterial properties as well that might help combat the germy source of infections that cause sore throats.

2. Diuretic Properties: Many plants found in nature may stimulate urination which may be useful in people with certain health conditions or as a means of clearing toxins from the body. This same process may be what increases sweating in some people as a part of burdock root tea benefits, another function of removing waste from the body.

3. Breast Cancer: Few herbs hold the distinction of proving themselves useful against serious disease processes like cancer, but some research points to burdock root tea benefits including usage in some cancers, although much more research will be needed in order to evaluate these potential benefits.

4. Diabetes Management: Though not necessarily useful in day to day treatment of the common condition, the ingestion of burdock may help to control predicted spikes in blood pressure following meals which can be useful in persons who struggle with unhealthy fluctuations around mealtime.

5. Hair Growth: Oil pulled from burdock root is often used as a tonic to promote hair growth, and when prepared from the fresh root, it was thought that tea from the plant may hold similar properties. Founded in folklore from herbalists rather than modern medicine, there is no substantial evidence that burdock root tea benefits include hair growth, however it is perhaps no coincidence the herb has been used in this application for so long.

6. Skin Conditions: Generically, burdock is associated with reducing skin dryness, although there may be a lot more to the potential dermal benefits of the root than just keeping it hydrated. Burdock’s standing as an anti-inflammatory mean that it may be useful in a wide variety of skin conditions like eczema that are characterized by inflamed areas of skin.

7. Stomach Problems: There are likely numerous ways in which burdock may positively impact the stomach. Common conditions like ulcers, which are caused by bacteria, may be positively affected by antibacterial burdock root tea benefits. And, other gastrointestinal conditions that are characterized by inflammation may further benefit.

8. Gout: Gout can be acute or chronic but almost always leads to serious inflammation in the joints of the body. This induced arthritic state may benefit from inflammation reducing applications, including the use of herbals like burdock.

9. Fertility: It is suggested that pregnant women not use burdock as it may stimulate the uterus, and this may be precisely why the herb – which has also been associated with stimulating lactation – is used for infertility in both men and women. Though little thorough testing has been performed concerning burdock root tea benefits for conception, enough evidence to warrant risks in certain individuals does, lending some credibility to the claims.

10. Appetite Stimulation: A popular folk remedy for anorexia, the digestive benefits associated with burdock are likely responsible for the root’s ability to provide an uptick in hunger.

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